Armor shield

ABSTRACT

The invention is a shield comprised of a plurality of bullet retardant sheets usable in an armored vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from domestic U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/709,823, filed on Aug. 22, 2005, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of armor protection, and more specifically is directed to shields for protection from small arms fire and shrapnel, including that from IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shield of the invention is a bullet resistant user friendly product of lighter weight and lower cost than most shielding methods and devices currently employed. It is a multipurpose personal shield that provides excellent added protection to troops or police officers. It is designed to be highly mobile and multifunctional. The shield can go anywhere a troop or officer may go and adding an extra layer or two of security. Its design is to update, retrofit, and provide added security for troops or to existing vehicles. The product is adaptable for any size vehicle from military hummers to two ton trucks to even smaller passenger vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, the following detailed description should be read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the external surface of one embodiment of the shield of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the internal surface of the embodiment of the shield of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the shield of the invention wherein panels of the invention are joined via epoxy adhesive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shield of the invention can fit between the door opening and set of any vehicle. It could be mounted on a small channel but mounting is not necessary. Size and shape of the shield are easily modified by using standard industrial tools. The method of manufacture is detailed as following.

The shield is made by attaching two sheets of ⅞ inch bullet resistant Armortext O.F.300 drywall. A single thickness of this product is rated by UL and NIJ as a level 3 bullet retardant. The specifications for Armortext conform with UL 752 9^(th) Ed., “Standard for Bullet Resisting Equipment,” Jan. 27, 1995, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

By doubling the thickness of this product in crucial areas, the shield provides excellent protection that can be installed instantaneously. This is accomplished by the addition of a system of aluminum runners made out of standard gauge ⅛ inch aluminum that are epoxied to and around the back side of an outer sheet of O.F.300. A smaller back panel with handle is inserted into the system of runners. This second panel can be raised to provide higher protection to drivers and passengers thus protecting the upper extremities. It blocks windows and can be removed entirely for needed protection outside of the vehicle, providing an alternative purpose as a combat shield. The entire shield may be used or back panel may be removed. The back panel may be epoxied to the front panel as shown in FIG. 3, adding additional structural strength. 

1. A shield for protection against projectiles, comprising: a plurality of level 3 bullet retardant material. 